Our Favorite Parenting News Stories Of The Week

Photo by Michael Buckner via Getty Images. Via HuffingtonPost

Supermodel and TV personality Tyra Banks welcomes her first baby boy via surrogate and announces the happy news with a cute Instagram post. Welcome to the world little York. (HuffingtonPost)

In national news, government-appointed health panel calls for depression screening during and after pregnancy for the future well-being of children and their mothers. (New York Times)

Time to turn that “office” into a nursery again. There’s a second child on the way for Emily Blunt and John Krasinski! (People)

Barbie now comes in a range of shapes like real life women. Mattel announced new series of dolls that come in all shapes, colors, and sizes: curvy, tall, and petite. (CNN)

The Pentagon is overhauling its paid maternity leave policy and giving new military mothers twelve weeks of paid maternity leave. (BuzzFeed)

Yum! Check out these 10 Game-Day Recipes at for Super Bowl 50 Sunday–perfect for the whole fam! (CafeMom)

Hey dads! Thinking of exercising your right to paternity leave? Here are four good ways to ask! (Mashable.com)

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Do you agree that every parent has a particular age group they’re best at parenting? Whether it’s newborns or teens, this article will get you thinking about your forte. (Cup of Jo)

Here are eight reasons for you to “sleep when baby sleeps.” You might end up feeling more refreshed and productive than if you tried to power through your baby’s naps! (The Stir)

These tips will help you handle your child’s biggest meltdowns and tantrums with empathy and poise—and without doing any damage. (Cricket’s Circle)

Speakitaly NYC

SPEAKITALY NYC offers stimulating and entertaining lessons for children 0 to 16 years through a wide combination of activities based on the communicative approach anchored in the Common European Framework of Reference: active learning (group work, role plays, etc.) and practice exercises aimed to improve listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Kids will start speaking and using Italian in a very natural way.&nbsp; Small classes capped at 6 students to make sure each one gets the needed attention and facilitate learners' progress.&nbsp; Our method is driven by a didactic method that is the result of constant updates, professional certifications and more than 10 years of experience in working with non-native speakers from different native languages and levels of knowledge. Our aim is to develop a range of Italian language skills while improving accuracy that will enable the students and participants to interact without stress or feeling rushed. We want to help those in the community really embrace not only the true culture in Italy but the Italian culture within New York City&hellip; Who doesn&rsquo;t love what Italy represents in the kitchen, in history &amp; in the arts? Speakitaly wants to support multilingual families who want to learn a new language or pass along their ancestor&rsquo;s heritage and culture. Raffaella, the founder said: "We see language awareness and intercultural sensitivity as the milestones for an inclusive society. Italian, like all other languages, is an enrichment and a growth in every way. Vi aspettiamo!"

Broadway Dance Center Children and Teens

With more than 35 years of experience, Broadway Dance Center Children &amp; Teens provides young movers ages 3-18 with exceptional training. BDC delivers the finest all-around dance experience for students by offering a wide variety of styles and levels, performance opportunities, and the highest caliber dance instruction that only New York City and BDC Children &amp; Teens can provide. This studio is so much more than a training course for young dancers; it is a diverse, family-friendly community for budding creatives. It has an exemplary faculty who follow the vision to not only develop a dancer&rsquo;s love and ability in dance, but to do so in a nurturing and supportive way.

Chickenshed NYC

Chickenshed is an inclusive theatre company that began in the UK in 1974. Chickenshed NYC is a young organization bringing that same ethos and unique methodology to the USA. Chickenshed&rsquo;s mission is to create entertaining and outstanding theatre that celebrates diversity and inspires positive change. Chickenshed's model of Inclusive Theatre is based in the belief that everyone can flourish when everyone is included. At Chickenshed everyone is welcome, everyone is valued, and together we produce remarkable theatre. We want to break down barriers between people to create a world without labels and where differences no longer divide. At Chickenshed, support is given to those who need it, and given by those who can . We believe that creative activities, self-expression and performance should be available to anyone who has the desire, no matter their background or circumstances. We know that when everyone has the opportunity to shine, amazing things happen. Chickenshed NYC provides programming for little ones, children and youth through semester-long activities and performances.